and when they did that, and as soon as they did that, they love the election. they would have won the election had it come due before and they would have won that had they stuck to it but they didn't do it. but the debt ceiling has to be agreed to. they have the cards i just don't think they know it, unfortunately. they should get everything they want based on the debt ceiling alone. >> explain it to me. suppose the republicans dug their heels in the ground and said they refuse to raise the debt ceiling. how would that empower them? >> well, the government, i mean unfortunately, as it almost has anyway, would come to a total standstill. with the debt ceiling coming due in another month from now, they should make that part of the debate. the president is going to have to do something about the debt ceiling. he has always been concerned about it and what is going to happen because obviously they need a lift in the debt ceiling. i always said and i it to you, it should not have been allowed to happen after the election. if it happened before the election the repub